Reviews
Blanche
If We Can't Trust The Doctors
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2005-01-04
"In the fair city of Detroit, nestled among the garage rock nooks and indie-country crannies, lurks the music of Blanche." so says the link that you click before being brought to Blanche's homepage. A great description, I must admit I was surprised when I found out that this band was coming out of Detroit. Blanche is an intriguing band with a fascinating sound that doesn't really sound like it should have been released in 2004. Husband and wife tandem Dan and Tracey Miller take turns on vocals on this album. Dan's voice is an old style country voice that you might have found in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou", Tracey on the other hand has a simple pretty voice which when combined with her brothers creates an unique and distinctly recognizable vocal sound. But don't get the wrong idea, this isn't an open and shut country album by any means.
The complexity of the songs, and the backing instruments takes what might be a country album and moves it into a very experimental country/alternative type of classification. "Dan and Tracee Miller trade intense and haunting vocals over an uneasy sea of pedal steel, banjo, raw guitar sounds, and sparse, driving drumming." (another quote from the website). I give the band full marks for coming up with an unique sound, but unfortunately I just can't make myself love it. From my research this band is renowned for their live show, and I would imagine seeing them live would be quite the experience. The video I saw on Wedge was cryptic, and haunting. It gave me the feeling that this music was being played at a funeral, and for days after I heard it I couldn't get it out of my head. Unfortunately not all the songs have the same effect for me. This is a sombre album, and though some of the lyrics sound optimistic if you listen to the words all the songs are more or less sad.
My biggest gripe with this album is that they don't use Tracey's vocals enough on the album. To me Dan's voice is a bit abbrasive, and at times grains on me a bit before the end of the song. But when the band has both singers playing off of eachother it makes a much more palatable sound. "Do You Trust me" is the first song on the album when they really do that. Dan singing a line, and then Tracey singing back answering the line before. The twangy guitar, and banjo on this song is also notable. The song features husband and wife singing about the importance of trust, and being skeptical about trusting each other. "It doesn't take a trusting man to sing a song of trust" is an example of the type of lyrics you will find on this album.
"The Hopeless Waltz" open with some heavy bass, before some of the staple twangy guitar. This song again utilizes both of the band's vocalists effectively. "When your sadder than sad/ that's when hope drives you mad / when nothing feels true / hope preys on you" is the beautiful and yet heart wrenching chorus in this song. They take turns singing the chorus individually, or collectively. If you didn't believe me about the album being sombre this shoudl convince you. The entire song is about how sometimes when you are at your saddest, that hope can only make you more depressed and lonely than you were before. A weird perspective..... but it has some legitimacy.
A big time musician friend of Blanche shows up for a guest spot on "Who's To Say". Jack White of the White Stripes who before the White Stripes was in a local Detroit band with Dan Miller (Goober) and it was called Two Star Tabernacle. One listen to this song and it will be easy to pick up Jack White's guitar stylings. This song takes a step back from the vocals, and allows for the very talented musicians in the band to jam out and improvise with Jack White. The result is a rich, and eccentric guitar sound. Add some pianos, some bass, and some slide guitar and you have yourself a strong contender for a single on this album. Besides, if they can get Jack White to be in the video they would be fools not to release this as a single.
The album closes out with "Someday" which is my favourite on the entire cd. The song is only two minutes, but the combination of the bizarre rambling style chants at the beginning, the distorted old style "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" vocals asking Why?? Oh ...... why?? With the whimsical vocals of Tracey "Someday you will find out / someday..... you will find out/" Again and again is just a great way to end the album. And in a weird way after the haunting, and somewhat depressing theme of the other songs on the album the last song manages to pick you up and bring a smile to your face.
I won't harp on any of the songs negatively, because in fairness none of them deserve it. The lowest score any song on this album gets from me is a 7, and a 7 isn't bad at all. But then again even the best songs I wouldn't put much higher than an 8. But that is just me, if you read this review and it caught your attention then I strongly urge you to check the band out. This is one of those albums that if the sound matches up well with your taste it could become an all time favourite. And just in researching the band on the web, it would appear many people are very fanatical about the band and this album specificallyl. My only warning is that I'm not joking when I say this album is a bit of a downer. I tried listening to it one day when I was in a good mood, and I couldn't really get into it. So be forewarned of that, otherwise a solid album and a unique album. Thank you Much Wedge once again for finding me yet another band I otherwise might never have come across.
Songs that you should download: "Who's To Say", "Do You Trust Me", "Garbage Picker", "Hopeless Waltz", "Someday..."
Score: 7.65
I listen to this album and know that it is great. I can hear so much talent from the band, but it just isn't a sound I can truly adore. But in spite of that I find this album very decent anyhow, which is always a good sign.
- DanW